Empowering Young Men
The Men Activity Day took place from February 9-11, 2024 and addressed critical issues around masculinity, relationships and consent. With a total of 96 participants, mainly aged between 18 and 25, the workshops included discussions on consent, healthy relationships, and toxic masculinity.
The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey of 2022 reports that 34% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. Additionally, within many marriages and relationships in Kenya, violence, male dominance, and non-consensual interactions are normalized, with instances of physical violence during sex and rape cases being common.
Conversations surrounding intimacy and consent remain relatively uncommon, with subjects like affection, emotional connection, dating, and sexual engagement seldom broached.
To change this, we need to educate young adults and we must include men as well. It is necessary to create a safe space where (in this case) young men can open up and share their experiences.
The workshops confronted toxic masculinity, providing a platform for participants to explore social expectations and stereotypes surrounding manhood. Strategies for managing anger, challenging traditional gender norms, and fostering emotional intelligence were discussed, empowering participants to redefine masculinity on their own terms.
Throughout the workshops, participants actively engaged in group work, role-playing exercises, and discussions. Real-life scenarios were discussed and analyzed, allowing participants to practice asserting boundaries and recognizing non-verbal behaviors.
The Men Activity Day has brought positive changes and created a new awareness and confidence among participants in navigating relationships and respecting boundaries. Surveys have shown that such events are necessary to supplement existing education on these matters. Promoting healthy relationships characterized by communication, trust, honesty, and equality is key to reducing violence and rape.
